Blog and video link

It always nice to hear from people after i have taught a workshop and i would like to thank all those handlers who have emailed me since the Melbourne and Brisbane workshops.

One of the participants at the Melbourne workshop has been keeping a log of her progress on her blog since the workshop, http://mydog-parlance.blogspot.com

Another handler has put together a short video about the weekend workshops antics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPKBu-HB_6s

Back home

Thank goodness we did not have any problems with the flights on the way home to the UK. It was a looking a little worrying during the week but in the end all went smoothly.
The last workshop i did was at camp tailwaggers in Brisbane where everything was organsied very expertly by Ann the owner of the camp and Val her helper. The venue is super with cabins on site for people to stay in, a dining room and large undercover training area. The venue is on top of a hill so it has lovely views of the Gold coast.
I had been told that the standard in Queensland was quite good and certianly they seem to have embraced the sport there. The weekend started with a cabaret evening where everyone could run through their performances in a show atmosphere. I think nerves played a part a little but it was good to see what standard the teams were so that i could focus on the essential areas of improevement over the weekend.
The first day dawned and we got started before the scheduled time as everyone was ready so there was no point in waiting around as there was so much to get through.
Everyone was very eager to learn over the weekend and i think i answered more questions in the two days than i have all year. Its lovely to teach a group who also shares the same passion for the sport.
As this was the second weekend workshop for me i did have rely on the essential coke and chocolate to get me through. After finishing the second day i then was taken to the airport ready for the long journey home.

Relaxing on the Gold coast

The last few days have been busy with the trips to Seaworld and the Zoo. I also had the talk to do on wednesday night where i met many of the people who will be at the weekend seminar. There was a variety of questions after the talk and i hope people went away with the view that training can be fun.

Last night we went to the Outback spectacualr which is a unique theatre type show where you have a meal while watching a show. The show tells you more about australias history and mixes film with live performances from horsemen etc. It was a lovely night and nice to relax before a busy weekend at camp tailwaggers.

Down in sunny or not so sunny oz

Having finished the workshop we had monday to go to a local wildlife sanctuary where i took a few photos of the natives. Then we had been invited to one of the handlers from the workshop to dinner which was a very nice evening.

Tuesday was an early start in order to get to the airport for the flight to Brisbane. After the sunny warm climate of Melbourne it was a shock to encounter pouring rain in Brisbane. Fingers crossed that it cheers up for the weekend but before that we have a trip to Brisbane Zoo, Sea world and the Outback spectacular planned. Also i have a talk to give on attention, drive etc with around 140 people so no pressure ! Then of course it will be off to camp tailwaggers for the weekend workshop and fingers crossed then on a plane home.

Melbourne workshop

Just finished the Melbourne workshop where there was a good variety of breeds. The group were made up of some that had not done a lot of freestyle and others who had been on the last workshop I had done three years ago. As usual the group was a bit quiet first thing and not talking to their dogs but after a while they started to relax. I had to pick up quite a few handlers on where and when they were rewarding their dogs as they were sometimes rewarding the dog for being out of position or looking ahead rather than up at the handler.
Saying that there was a little Papillion who had heelwork with attention to die for and should do well in HTM when he has learnt the other heelwork positions. It was quite warm in the hall so after a while the teams started to feel the heat and get tired. By the end of the day we had covered quite a lot and it was nice then to meet some of the teams in the evening for dinner.
The second day went well although I had to really keep my energy up as many of the handlers were flagging. Saying that on the last exercise of the day which requires a lot of drive from dog and handler they all did really well. So now I have one more day in Melbourne before flying to Brisbane but with the volcano ash in the air near home the big question is will I get home next Monday ?

Richard made it to OZ

The flight over to Australia was not too bad and we were looked after very well on Cathy Pacific. I did go a little stir crazy towards the end of each flight but thanks to sonic winter sports on a borrowed Nintendo DS I amused myself trying to get a monkey to do alpine skiing !!
We arrived and almost went straight to bed as it was late here which was great as we woke on Thursday feeling ok not too jet lagged. Went into Melbourne on the train and went to the botanical gardens etc which was good and then came back to Sue’s place who is hosting the workshop weekend for dinner.
Friday saw us driving around the countryside going to a picturesque reservoir and walks through the forest at Badger weir. My attempts at photos are perhaps not as good as “the expert” but I hope you like them : ) Tomorrow is the first day of the workshop which has thirty handlers who some have travelled quite a way to attend.

Whizzy wins at her first show

After a few months of deliberating i entered Whizzy for her first freestyle competition in novice. Although i entered Westglen i still wasn't sure if i would actually work her but after working her in the hall she seemed quite confident so i opted to compete.

Even though i have now worked many dogs in this sport i still find it very nerve wracking the first time you put a new dog into the ring. Until you have been in there you don't know how the dog will react to the environment, handlers nerves or the music system.

I need not have worried as Whizzy took everything in her stride and performed well, if a little enthusiastic at times ! I was delighted to win her first novice on her first appearance in the ring and it is a lovely start to my Australia trip which i am about to embark on.

Many thanks to everyone who has left comments or sent emails congratulating us on our win they are all most appreciated.

Busy busy

Life seems very busy at the moment and with the pending trip to Australia very shortly it is only going to get busier. Last week saw myself and Pogo on the beach at The Witterings demonstrating frisbee freestyle for a piece on ITV's This Morning. The presenter Jodie Kidd was really nice and it all went pretty well. Having done quite a few programmes now you know it is all going to edited into a tiny bit and this was the case when i saw it this week. As always these things seem to come in pairs and we might have another piece for a TV programme to film this coming week.

Little Betty has been in the wars a bit as this week she went into the vets to have her baby teeth removed and be neutered. I didn't really want to have her neutered yet but it makes sense to only put her under one anesthetic being so small. Her mouth was full of teeth both adult and baby, some were going a funny colour so something had to be done.

This coming week is again very busy as i only have a few days to fit in some of my grooming clients before i leave for Oz. Just before i go though i will be making my way up to Worcester for another sheepdog lesson and then staying up there for the two day HTM show. I am judging both Crufts qualifying classes which should be interesting as last weekend i was judging starters/novice classes at Findon downs HTM show. The new judging marking scheme certainly seemed to help me, so it will be good to try it out on classes at the other end of the spectrum.

Then i will be off to Australia to Melbourne first and then Brisbane. I have been to Melbourne before so it will be good to catch up with some handlers from last time and see how the sport has progressed. Both workshops are going to be very busy as i beleive there is thirty handlers on each so i think i will be consuming lots of cola and chocolate to keep my energy up !!